Wall sheathing



@wz ATTORNEY INVENTOR Zamas ffdeffafz BY f T. F. ANDERSON WALL SHEATHING Filed NOV. 4, 1939 July 30, 1940.

July 30, 1940.

T. F. ANDERSON 2,209,375

WALL SHEATHING Filed Npv. 4, 193sy 4 sheets-sheet 2 k uw INVENTOR AJ, ATTORNEY July 30, 1949- T. F. ANDERSON WALL SHEATHING Filed NOV. 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l N V E N TO R Thom d.: /mrson July 30, 1940.

T. F. ANor-:RsoN 2,209,375

WALL SHEATHING Filed Nov. 4. 1938` 4 Sheets-Sheet4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 3Q, 1940 unirsi) s'mres Application November 4, 1938, Serial No. 238,744

ll Claims.

rihis invention relatesk to wall sheathing and more particularly to metallic sheathing for facing the surfaces of exterior and interior building walls. 5 In accordance with this invention, an improved wall sheathing is provided which is assembled. on the building wall as separate panel units formed from sheet metal and which may be applied to the surface of a wall or wall frame comprising Wood or metal studding, brick, concrete, cinder block, hollow tile or wall structures made of other materials. Each panel comprises a relatively flat Wall-forming portion preferablyzofrectangular shape, having spacing flanges extending substantially at right angles tothe wall-forming portion and along each side edge thereof. To provide means fo-r securing the panels to the building wall, there is provided a foot portion extending outwardly.` from and substantially at right angles 20 to one or preferably two adjacent spacing iianges, which foot portion is adapted to receive securing screws, nails, or other attaching means whereby the panel unit may be directly securedto the building wall. The foot portion extending out- 25 wardly from one panel unit is overlapped and concealed by the adjacent panel unit, the adjacent edges of adjacent panel units being secured together by a plurality of dowels formed from springsteel which is attached along the side edges of the panel unitsl during erection. Thus there are no exposed securing elements, screw heads or other securing'devices visible when the sheathing has been putin place.

My improved wall sheathing may be stamped and formed by metal stamping presses economically and at a high` production rate. The sheathing after stamping may be suitably coated with a lacquer or porcelain enamel or other desired coating, depending upon the use to which it is to be put and the nish desired. For eX- ample, my improved wall sheathing maybe surfaced with a poreclain enamel coating ,which may be fused onto `the metal so that it doesinot chip ofi, producing a highly sanitary' wall sheathing especially attractive for liningror surfacing Vthe walls o-f hospitals, restaurants andlunchrooms, barber shops, corridors, bathrooms, lavatories, and other roomswhere an attractive appearing highlysanitary wall surface is desired. This improved wall sheathing also lends itself foruse as a covering for exterior walls of buildings and, if desired, can be applied directly to the .studdingor framework of the building wall.

The metallic panelpreferably hasisecured to the -rear face thereof alayer OinSuIating-mate- (ci landse) rial which insulatesthe panel lunit to heat and cold and also insulates the panel/unit tothe passage of sound and vibrations therethrough. The insulating materialmay comprise a rigid ber core which is solid throughout and substantially the thickness of the spacing flanges of the panel sheet so thatit will normally rest directly against the 1building wall to. whichithe panel unit is applied. s y v f This invention also embodies an vimproved metallic baseboard and trim cap which mayrbe associated with the panel units toprovide Wainscoting for interior walls. In erecting the Wainscotingthe iin-proved metallic baseboard isv rst attached to the 'building wall and the insulated panel units are then erected in succession, being connectedfto the baseboardand to eachother by concealed fastening dowels, `and yfinally the trim '4 cap is connected to the upper edge of the panel units and fastened to the 4building wall. Provision is also vmade Vfor covering and concealing radiators andframing windows with my irn-v proved wainscoting. j

The improved wall sheathing can be econo-mi ically manufactured and quickly assembled to the building wall with a minimum of labor, It also can be. quickly and easily ktalfzenvdown and removed, can be stored in relatively small space and re-erected at other locations as desired, thus possessing marked utility for building vuses in satisfying tenant and occupant requirements.

An object .of-this-invention is to.providev an improved wallsheathing-,which may be applied to either exterior or interior building walls, which is free from visible securing means,which can be manufactured at low cost and quickly applied as well as removed fromvthe building vrwall, which may be made freefrom dust and'dirt collecting projections and cavities, which is highly sanitary and serviceablev in use and-possesses an attractive and. inviting appearance.

lAnother object of this invention is, to provide an improved, lhighly sanitary and attractive wainscoting for surfacing interior walls comprsing separatelyrerectable panel units with accompanying baseboard and Vtrim* cap made from formed metal sheets whichvmay be manufactured and erected at relatively low cost.

Another object of this invention is to` provide sheet metal panel units having means for securing them toa building wallfand to each other Y whereby the securing means are .concealed from ,exterior View when the panel unitsl are assembled in securediposition to thebuilding wall` Still another object (of, this .invention -.is-to provide an improved resilient dowel element which may be quickly applied to the panel units to secure them in rigidly connected and fixed relationship.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will in part be pointed out and in part become apparent in connection with the following detailed description of certain illustrative forms of construction, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the improved wainscoting as applied to a building wall having a door therein;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional View through the building wall and wainscoting applied thereto, this view being taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view through the door jamb, this View being taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional View through a section of the building wall, this View illustrating particularly the means employed for securing the wainscoting panels to each other and to the building wall, this View being taken on line 5 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional View through a section of the building wall and associated wainscoting, this view being taken along 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged Vertical cross-sectional view showing the wainscoting cap secured to the building wall and to the adjacent wainscoting panel; this View being taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the baseboard and adjacent wain f scoting panel, this view showing the means employed to secure the baseboard and wainscoting panel to the building wall and to each other, this View being taken on line 'I 'I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View of a building wall having the contour of the building wall shown in Fig. 2, the wainscoting panels being here shown as arranged in a superimposed relationship defining horizontally extending dividing lines therebetween;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the wainscoting applied to the wall as shown in Fig. 8, this view being taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through a portion of the lowermost wainscoting panel positioned over a tile, concrete or composition baseboard, this view being taken along line iB I of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view through the wainscoting positioned around a easement window and a radiator recess;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view through adjacent wainscoting panels and the casement window, this view being taken on line I2 I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional View taken through the wainscoting panel concealing the radiator recess, this View being taken on line I3 I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the radiator concealing wainscoting andthe adjacent wall base, this View being taken along line I-M of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a resilient clip element used to secure together the adjacent edges of` adjacent wainscoting panels;

. 4Fig.16 is a cross-sectional View of the wall sheathing showing its application adjacent a wooden door jamb or door opening;

Fig. 17 is a cross-section showing the wall sheathing applied to a building wall adjacent another door jamb or door opening;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional View showing the wall sheathing applied to a building wall adjacent a metal door jamb;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the wainscoting applied at a corner of a room, having associated therewith a decorative cover strip; and

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional View through adjacent sheathing sheets having a decorative strip concealing the joint therebetween.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts through the several views of the drawings and the specification.

In order that this invention may be more clearly comprehended, an elevational View of a typical partition or building wall having the improved wainscoting applied thereto, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This improved wainscoting may be applied as a facing surface to any building wall and may be formed to t and neatly cover not only straight wall surfaces but also the inturned and outturned corners of the building wall, rounded surfaces, door jambs, window frames and other openings often present in a building wall. The wainscoting may be applied to building wall surfaces w of brick, concrete, cinder block, tile, wood framing, plaster or any other exterior or interior building wall surface. The wainscoting may extend to any desired height and, if desired, may extend to the ceiling of the room.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l to 7 inclusive, there is illustrated a series of wainscoting panels a, b, c, d, 6, f, g, 7L, z' and 7' tting around the walls w of a room. Extending along the bottom of these panels is a continuous baseboard lc and extending along the top of these -panels is a trim cap m. These panels are each stamped from a blank of sheet metal and when formed present a panelportion I of generally rectangular form extending from the baseboard lc to the cap member m. Wall panels a, c, d, e, g and z' as illustrated have a panel portion I which lies substantially in a uniform plane so as to cover a flat wall surface. Where the panel unit is to extend around an inturned corner of the building wall, such as panel units bi, f and 7', or around an outturned corner of a building wall such as panel unit It, the panel portion I of each of said panel units is bent or folded as at 2D so as to provide a seamless corner for the room. The panel portion I of each panel unit is preferably backed by a suitable layer of sound-insulating material x, such as berboard, cork or other composition material, which has sound-insulating qualities. The insulating board a: is preferably secured to the inside face of the panel portion I by a suitable adhesive 2. When the panel units are mounted upon the building wall, a substantially flush wall surface is presented.

Panel units, a, bf, c, d, e, g, h, z' and y' are provided with inwardly extending Iiange portions 2 and 3 along the respective vertical side edges thereof. 'I'he ange portion 2 along one side edge of the panel is provided with an outwardly extending foot portion 4 which is so shaped l as to seat snugly against the building wall w and is secured thereto as by spaced screws 5 extending through the foot portion 4 and into the building wall w, although other securing means, such as nails, bolts, or suitable clips, may

be used?! 'The flangeY portion y2 along the other CII ,p tion 6 of the adjacent panel.

vertical side edge of these panels is preferably provided` with an inturned vfoot portion 6, which is soishaped and designed as to seat against thel outturned .foot portion 4 of the adjacent panel.

Thewallportion I of these panel units is also provided with an inturned flange portion 1 along thelower edge and an inturned flange portion 8 along the upper edge thereof. The inturned flange portion-1 at the lower edge of the panel unitmay. vbeprovided with an` inturned foot portion 1 adapted to seat against the upturned foot `portionllof the metallic baseboard member k',iwhichwill be presently described.. The'inturnediiange portion 8 at the upper edge of each panel unit may be provided with an upturned or oui-.turned foot portion -I.0 which may be suitably secured to the wall w by spaced lscrews I I or equivalent securing means.

vIt will thus be seengthat all ofthe panel units a, b,c, d, e, g, h, i and y comprise generally a stampedsheet metal member presenting a wall pertion l of generally rectangular yform having an inturned flangealong each side edge thereof which 2- serves to space the wall portion I a predetermined distance from the building wall w, and the vertical side edgesr of the wall formingv portion I is provided with vertical -anges 2 and 3 extending inwardly substantially at right angles to the wall portion I, one of said vertical flanges being provided -with an outturned lip or foot portion 4 which seats under the adjacent panel unit, providing a support for the inturned foot or lip por- Likewise, the horizontal side edges of the panel portion I are each provided with inturned flange portions 1 and 8 which serve to space the upper and lower horizontal side -edges of the panel unit from the wall w, one of said horizontally extending flanges being provided with an outturned lip or foot portion I Il which is directly secured to the buildingwall as by spaced screws II, and the opposite horizontal edge ofthe panel portion I being provided with an inturned lip or foot portion 1 adapted to seat against the outturned flange 9 of the baseboard or other member.

Nl-lere the panel unit extends rvcompletely around the room, or under certain other conditions, it may be found that the last or nal panel,

` here designated as f, must be positioned at a location where the adjacent panels e and g both present adjacent outturned foot portions 4, which would make it necessary to eliminate the outturned foot portion from the last inserted panel f. Proper ush insertion of the final panely ,f may be accomplished by providing the inturned flanges 2 and 3 thereof, as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 5, with a plurality of spaced female recesses IM! which receive theoutwardly extending male bosses IBI formed on the adjacent flanges ."2l of the adjacent panel units. 'Ihe male bosses #lll may be easily and quickly struck out by an embossing tool and the same or similar embossing tool may be used to form the female recesses Ill in corresponding spaced relation. The inturned flanges 2 and 3 of the last inserted panel unit f have the ends H22 thereof terminating short of the outwardly extending foot portions 4 of the adjacent panel units. r)The inturned iianges 2 and j 3 of the nnal panel j possess an inherent resiliency into the female recesses |00. Thus the last inedge thereof. It is vunderstood thatthe last inserted panel Vneed not necessarily be a corner panel f, .but may y.bea panel unit extending along a iiat .wall surface, the corner panel unit f shown in Fig. 5 servingto illustrate the means used for securing in position .the last inserted panel unit.

A metal baseboard member k extending around the bottom of the building wall and seating against `.the floor w", as shownin Figs. 1 and '1, mayalso lbe provided. The baseboard may be formed from stamped sheet metal having a facing portion I6, a molded portion I1 which seats adjacent'the floor, and an inturned portion I8 which seatsagainst the floor surface w. A hookn shaped clip I9 secured to the building wall w as by spaced screws operates tohold the low'er end of the baseboard k in fixed position. The hookshaped clip element I9 may be provided with an upturnedlip 2| over which a cooperating lip 22 associated with `the baseboard member lc 0verlaps, the cooperating lip 22 extending from the end of a -riser flange 23 extending from the inturned floor-contacting portion I8 of the baseboard member. The upper edge of the surface portion rI 6 of the baseboard may be provided with an inturned flange 24 which terminates in an outwardly extending foot portion 9 which is fixed to the building wall w as by spaced screws 26. The interior space 21 between the facing portion I6 of the baseboard and the building wall provides a convenient space for conduits and wiring, or this space may be partially or wholly packed with insulating material. The lowerr edges of the panel units are secured to the inturned flange portion 24 of the baseboard by resilient clips s,

which will be more fully described in connection with the erection and application of the wainscoting to a building wall.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 6, a trim or top cap m may be positioned along the top `edge of the panel unit. The trim cap m is provided with a facing portion 3l),` which may be of any desired artistic contour, which terminates along the lower edge invan inturned spacing lia-nge 3l and at the upper edge in an inturned spacing flange 32, which may merge together in rounded corner areas 33. The trim cap my is secured to the building wall wby a plurality of seouring'clips 34 secured to the building wall w by screws 35, the clips 34 being provided with an oiset portion 35 with which an inturned lip 31 extending from the upper spacing flange 32 of the trim cap is adapted to seat. The lower spacing flange 3l of the trim cap is secured to the inturned spacing Bange 8 of the respective panel units by means of a resilient clip s. The spacing flange 3l 4of the trim capis provided with a foot portion '38 which is adapted to seat against the outturned foot portions Ill extending along the upper edge of the panel units. The trim`cap m mayf-be made continuous over a series or plurality of panel units.

' My improvedwall structure encompasses the provision ofdoor `frames and doors. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a door frame risV provided which may lbe formed from a single piece of sheet metal strip suitably shaped. The door frame r, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a jamb portion 40 which receives the door n, an abutment portion 4I being provided against which the door 1L abuts andl which merges into a face portion 42 which may be generally coplanar with the jamb portion 40. Outturned reenforcing flanges 43 extend over the ribs p projecting laterally from the building wall w adjacent the door opening, the flanges 43 of the door frame being provided with inturned lips 44 which are adapted to spring over the projections p when the door frame is placed in position. The flange portion 43 of the door frame is so designed as to lie substantially flush With the wall portion I of the adjacent panelunit, so as to provide a substantially flush construction throughout. The door 1L may be hingedly supported along one edge thereof by suitable hinges 45' secured to the jamb portion 4I) of the frame and adjacent edge of the door.

The adjacent edges of the panel unit are secured together by a novel spring clip s, which may be formed from a single strip of spring steel bent into the general form shown in Fig. 15. As formed and ready for use the clip s comprises a base portion 53 from which extends wedge-forming insert portions 5I and 52, which merge together into an apex portion 56. Base portions 54 extend from the ends of the insert portions 52 and these parts terminate in outwardly flared lips 55. The clip is so formed-thatprior to its application to the panel units the lip portions 55 will be normally spaced as illustrated in Fig. 15, but when the base portions 53 and 54 are compressed together the lip portions 55 will lie substantially in abutment.

A series of spaced apertures are cut in the adjacent anges 3 and 4 of adjacent panel units which may comprise elongated slots 5l of less over-all width than the expanded clip s. The apex portion 55 of the clip is adapted to be inserted into the elongated slot 51 in one panel flange and forced inward so that the edges of the slot will compress the base portions 53 and 54 of the clip together, as more particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the side edges of the slot in the panel flange seat against the adjacent base portions 53 and 54 of the clip. The next adjacent panel is then slid into position by telescoping the corresponding aligned slots 51 therein over the corresponding wedge portions of the clip so that the side edges of its slot also seat over the base portions 53 and 54 of the clip. By providing similar slots in the top ange 24 of the baseboard lc and the bottom flange 'I of the panel unit similar clips s may be inserted in such slots to rigidly hold the bottom end of the panel unit to the tcp of the baseboard 7c. Likewise, clips s may be inserted into corresponding spaced slots in the top flange 8 of each panel unit and the lower ilange 3l of the cap member m to hold these parts together. The clips s when in position are concealed within the facing portions I of the panel units.

In applying the wainscoting to a building wall w, as illustrated in Figs. l to 7 inclusive, the hook-shaped hanger strip I9 to which the baseboard .1c is attached is applied to the building wall w. The hook element I9 may take the form of a continuous strip secured along the building wall w by spaced screws 20, or may comprise relatively short segments. The baseboard 7c is then placed in position Aso that the inturned ange portion I8 thereof rests against the oor surface w and the lip portion '22 thereof overhangs the upturnedleg 2| of the hook clips I9. Wiring or other conduits may be positioned withinv the baseboard k before it is hooked over the upturned leg 2l of the hook clip I9. The outwardly turned foot portion 9 of the baseboard lc is then secured to the building wall w by the spaced screws 26.

After the baseboard lc has been placed in position, the panel units are applied. The panel units are applied in succession around the building wall, progressing in the direction of the outturned foot portion 4 of the panel unit. As shown in Fig. 2, the panel unit d may be applied by first inserting a resilient clip s in each of the spaced receiving slots 51 cut through the inturned flange portion 24 of the baseboard k. The panel unit d is then placed in position over the baseboard lc with the apertures I4 along the lower edge generally oppositely disposed to the slots 28 of the baseboard so as to receive the resilient leg of the clip s. In the same manner, clip s is inserted in each of the spaced slots 45 cut in the inturned portions 44 of the door frame, which apertures are spaced to align with the slots I3 cut through the inturned spacing ange 2 of the panel unit d. j The outturned foot portion 4 is then secured to the building wall w, as by the spaced screws 5 after the panel unit has been properly positioned in `proper aligned relationship with respect to the door frame n and the baseboard lc. The outturned foot portion I eX- tending outwardly from the upper edge of the panel unit d is then secured to the building Wall w, as by the spaced screws I I.

Panel unit e may then be applied to the building wall in the same manner as that employed in securing the panel unit d to the building wall. The panel unit a may be applied to the building wall and secured to the door frame 1 in the same manner as panel unit d and thereafter the successive panels b, c, and further panels including panels y', z', h and g, until the desired area has been covered with the desired wainscoting, and to this the nal -panel f, previously described, is inserted into position.

The top cap of trim strip m, which may extend continuously over the Several panel units, may then be applied by inserting resilient clips s into each of the slots I extending through the inturned fiange 8 at the upper edge of each panel unit. The projecting leg of the clip s is projected into the correspondingV spaced slot 39 provided in the inturned spacing flange 3l of the cap member m. This is accomplished by rst aligning the slots 39 with the upwardly projecting leg of the respective clips s and then driving the cap member m downwardly so that the inturned lip 31 thereof seats behind the clips 34 which have been previously secured to the building wall w. It will be appreciated that when the inturned spacing flange 3l of the cap member m has been brought into the proper spaced relationship with respect to the inturned spacing ilange 8 of the respective panel unit, the clips s firmly secure the adjacent edges of the panel unit and the cap member in xed immovable position. The building wall w above the cap member m can be provided with a plaster coating R which extends down to the top of the cap member.

As the final operation, the space or cracks between the baseboard k and the lower end of the adjacent panel units, the spacing cracks between adjacent panel units and the spacing cracks between the upper edge of the panel units and the cap member ml may be` filled with a caulking 75,

plastic t with a caulking gun, the caulking Amaterial used being preferably a plastic which can be projected out of the gun under pressure so as to fill the seam or crack therewith.v The excess caulking plastic projecting beyond therwall faces l of the panel units can be scraped off so as to provide a fully filled crack or joint whose outer surfaces are substantially flush with the wall surface l of the panel units. y

It will be appreciated that the panel units as illustrated inFigs. l and '2, may be of any desired height or. length and any desired width, and each panel unit may be provided with an outturned foot portion 4 along either the right hand or the left hand side edge of the panel unit, the opposite side edge having an inturned foot portion 6, the adjacent edges of the panel units being secured together by the resilient clips s. Likewise either the lower or the upper edge of each panel unit may be provided with an outturned foot portion lll, as structural conditions may require, the opposite edge then preferably being provided with an inturned foot portion 6. It will also be appreciated that the outside face I6 of the baseboardlc and the wall face 3B of the cap member m may be so made as to lie substantially flush with the wall face l of the respective panel units. The wall face l of the panel units may also be made flush with the wall face of the door frame 1. As heretofore indicated, the panel units and also the baseboard 7c and cap. member m during manufacture may be coatedwith porcelain or baked enamel o-f the desired color so as -to provide a highly sanitary wall free of cracks and crevices where dirt and other foreign matter might otherwise cling.

These improved 4.panel units may also be so formed and constructed as to permit erection in horizontal superimposed tiers, as illustrated in Fig. 8. They are also adapted to be associated with a built-in baseboardk', as illustrated in Fig. 10. Referring more particularly to Figs. 8,

9 and 10, there is shown a wainscoted wall structure having the door frame 1' therein which receives the door n. Where a concrete baseboard 1c is fused, a modified secuingY clip s' may be provided, which is provided with a leg portion 6I which may be secured to the building wall w by the screws B2, the clip s being provided with an outturned portion 63 which normally seats against the topfsurface `(ill of the baseboard 7c'. This clip also is provided with an upwardly projecting resilient leg preformed from the spring metal strip forming the clip. The leg portion of the clip s is substantially similar to one of the leg portions of theA clip s shown in Fig. 15, having tapered Iportions I and 52 joined at the apex 5B and terminating'in relatively flat gripping portions 53 and 54 respectively. Gripping portion 54 terminates in an outwardly extending lip 55. Y

InA erecting the wainscoting comprising horizontally extending superimposed panels, the clips s are first secured to the buildingwall w along the baseboard lc in proper spaced relationship. 'I'he lowermost horizontal panel d' is then placed in position so that the upwardly projecting legs of each of the clips s' project through the respective apertures I4 provided inthe inturned spacing flange 'l along the lower edge of the panel unit a'. Clips s, previously having been g inserted into the apertures 45 provided in the fiange 44 of the door frame, are inserted into the corresponding openings I3 in the spacing flange 2 of the panel unit a', by shoving the panel in Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive.

unit a' to the left, as shown in Fig. 8. As sho-wn more particularly in Figs. 8l and 9, the metal screws Il are then inserted through the outturned foot portion l!) along the top edge of thev panel unit a and through the outturned,foot; 5 portion i along the vertical edge of the panel unit. Panel unit a2 is' then superimposed and positioned over panel unit a', being secured along two adjacent edges by spring clipsk s and along the other two edges by screws il. Panel unit nbsp10 is secured in a similar manner.

It will thus be appreciated that horizontally extending panel units can be provided to` extend completely around the wall, some of such panel units being diagrammatically illustrated in Fig.rv 15 8, such as superimposed panels c', c2 and c3 and superimposed panelsi', i2 and i3. The final inserted panei `may extend continuously from the base 7c to the cap member m or the same may be Vformed in vertical superimposed sectionspg() The side flanges 2 ands of this. last applied panel are provided with female recesses lil which receive the corresponding male bosses mi. The cap member m asshown in Fig, 9 maybe made substantially flush with the panel facing i and, where plaster Zilli is applied thereabove the same may be provided with an outturned foot portion 31' held in placeb-y screw 35. Caulking plastic is injected between adjacent. iiangesto seal the joint. Thus it will be appreciated ltlo'at30 l the wall sheathing maybe arranged to present either verticallyextending panelyunits or horizontally extending panel units', with seams therebetween extending vertically, horizontally, both vertically and horizontally or at any de-r, 35 sired angle. Thus i-t will be appreciated.l that the panelling may be arranged` on the` building wall so as to present any desired geometric arrangement of seaming. It will also Ibevappreciated that certain of the panel units, the base- .gq board 7c vor the trim cap m, may be coated orb' enamelled in different colors before erection at little or no additional cost, which can be then assembled on the walls so `as to provide highly artistic an-d pleasing color effects.' y This wall sheathing may be applied to. sub-5" stantially any shape building wall, can be made to fit smoothly and artistically around window easements y and room radiators, as illustrated Assuming that thev 51j, window easement y, shown in Figs. 1l and 12,.is*`f inset from the wall surface w, a metal sheathing panel o may be provi'dedwhich is connectedgto the building wall by an outturned foot portion y 4 extending along one vertical edgel thereof,` 55 which is secured to the building Wall by the" metal screw'5. The adjacent panel c is connected to the ange 2 of panel o` by the resilient metal clip s. Resilient metal clip s previously Adescribed secures. the opposite vertical edge of., ,60 the panel o in abutting relation to the window Casement y.

Assuming that a radiator space u, as shown in Figs. 11, 13 and 14 is provided below the window V so that the radiator rests upon the floor portion,

i provision of va flat panel. portion 'lil having an' inturned flange portionk ll which seats behind the metal clipl 12 fiXed to the building wall portion w3; The cover panel q is provided with a rounded front flange 1.3 yto provide afroundedn secured thereto by metal screws 96.

14 which is secured to the liange 15 of the facing panel u as by metal screws 16. The lower edge of the facing panel u is provided with an in- -turned flange 11 secured to the baseboard 1c as by a metal clip S'. The facing panel u of the radiator cover may be provided with suitable louvre openings 10 of decorative design. The

s space between the wall panel c and the radiator 10 facing panel u, as shown in` Figs. 11 and 13, may be occupied by a trim panel u provided with outturned foot portions 4 along each side edge thereof to which the adjacent flanges of the adjacent panel c and the panel unit u. may be secured as by the resilient clip s. It is appreciated that by following out the principles of the invention herein disclosed various modications and arrangements of the panel units may be made to cover substantially any shape wall sur face, since the panel units may be made in different sizes, shapes and contours as wall conditions require.

This improved wall sheathing thus may be positioned upon any type of wall and present a finished appearance under substantially all conditions. Where a wood window frame or door frame opening, for example, is encountered, as shown in Fig. 16, the out-turned foot portion 4 of the panel unit may be secured to the wood window frame or door buck by means of wood screws 8|, and the projecting foot portion 4 of the panel unit may be concealed and covered by a wood molding strip 82 secured to the door buck by means of the usual headless nails 83 used,l in carpentry.

Where the door buck 80 is to be covered by a decorative framing element 85, this framing element 85 may be positioned over the outturned foot portion 4 of the panel, the outturned foot portion 4 being secured to the building wall by suitable screws 8|, as shown in Fig. 17. The baseboard k is shown positioned below the panel unit. The metal panel is shown in Fig. 17 having a porcelain enamel coating thereon, although any desired finish may be given to the metal panel sheeting.

There is shown in Fig. 18 a built-up metal door frame construction which abuts the panel units. In the construction here shown a relatively heavy reinforcing panel 9| is secured to the building wall w by means of suitable securing elements f 92 setting into the same. A channel-shaped facing member 93 is provided with inturned flanges 94 which extend over the outturned flanges 95 of the reinforcing member 9| and are 'Ihe facing member 93 may be provided with door bumpers 91 thereon and may be further stiifened and reinforced by a stiifening plate 98. Metal trim members 99 may be secured in position as by screws |05 extending into wall portions |06. The metal trim members 99 are each provided with an inturned flange |01 which seat against the adjacent flange 94 of the facing member 93, each trim member 99 also being provided with inturned flange |08 which seats against the foot portion 4 of the adjacent panel unit, the foot portion 4 of each panel unit being secured to the building wall w as b-y screws 5. Thus it is seen that any wall condition, window condition, recess or door opening condition may be attractively satisfied.

In certain instances it maybe desirable to cover the seams or spaces between adjacent panel units by decorative trim strips or caps. There edge for the window seat andan inturned flange is shown in Fig. 19 a decorative trim strip ||9 shaped to fit the corner of the room. The facing portion of the trim strip may be provided wtith inturned edge portions ||2 ,which seat against the panel portions of the panel unit.

The trim cap ||0 may be provided with suitable flutes or bosses ||3 to give the same a decorative appearance. The trim capI l 0 may be secured in position by a suitable spaced clip H5 having an angle-shaped cross section with rounded outturnedvedges H6 adapted to resiliently engage the vinturned edges ||2 of the trim cap H0, se-

Y curely holding the trim cap in position. Suitable i member |20 is securedl to the building wall as by screws |2|'. Suitable slots |22 are lprovided in the outturnedleg |23 of the angle |20 through which the resilientipanel unit securing clips s extend. Where the adjacent vertical edge of the panelunit presents an outturned foot portion, it is obvious that the securing angle |20 need not be used.

j Fig. 20illustrates the application of a decorative trim strip |30 over the joint between adjacent panels. Where such a trim strip |30 is used, vthe adjacent flanges 2 and 3 of the panel units may be spaced further apart, the space therebetween being filled with caulking plastic t. One or more clip elements |35 may be secured to the building Wall by a suitable nail |36 or other securing means, the clip |35 being provided with, rebent edge portions |31 with which the inturned edges |3| vof the cap |30 may resiliently engage.A The cap |30 may be given a chromium or Y, made of, metal, and can be sprung over the clipsi |35 to resiliently engage the same and thus hold the trim istrip, securely to the building wall. Both the ,trim caps |10 and, |30 canalso be removed whenit is desired to remove the sheathing from ,the building wall.

It is now seen that this improved metal sheathing when applied presents va substantially flush wall throughout, free from projecting edges and cavitieswhereby a highly sanitary .wall surface or wainscoting is provided which vcan be easily" cleaned and washed. Most attractive artistic and decorative designs4 maybe achieved by painting,

lacquering or enamelling the exposed surfaces of the panel unit, baseboard and trim cap in different colors, which can be done substantially without additional cost..Where the. panel units are given `a porcelain enamel coating., a finish is provided which is resistanttoscratching and marring. yThe beauty of the gleaming surfaces and the original .lusterofthe porcelain enameliinishr is notdestroyed or dimmed by frequent scouring and scrubbing which walls should receive in wellkept hospitals, corridors, restaurants, washrooms,

lavatories, mercantile `and service establishments.

when thepanels whiohthey secure. are erected. v 'The improved dowels firmly hold the panel units'l together in fixed assembled relationship but at the same time permit quick assembly and removal of the panel units from the building walls when desired.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and-are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. Building wall sheathing including, sheet metal pane1 units adapted to be arranged along a building wall in adjacent substantially flush relationship, each of said panel units having a wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending from said wall surface portion, one of said inturned flanges having an outturned foot portion adapted to seat against the building wall, means extending through said outturned foot portion for securing said panel unit to the building wall, another of said inturned flanges of said panel unit having a depth substantially equal to the flange having the foot portion minus Vthe thickness of the metal of said foot portion, and a clip element extending through alignedopenings in the adjacent flanges of adjacent panel units, said clip element having a base portion and a return bend portion extending fro-m each end of said base portion through the flange opening, each bend portion having the free end thereof terminating in the space betweensaid flanges and between the exterior and interior edge'confines thereof.

2. Building wall sheathing including in cornbination, sheet metal panel units adapted to be arranged along a building wall in adjacent substantially flush relationship, each of said panel units having a wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending from said wall surface portion, the inturned flange of one of said sheet` metal pane1 units having an outturned foot portion adapted to seat against the building wall and extend under the adjacent inturned flange of the adjacent panel unit, means engaging said foot portion to secure the panel unit to the building wall, and means engaging the adjacent flanges of adjacent panel units and normally concealed Afrom exterior View for securing said panel units together, said flange-engaging means including a clip element extending through aligned openings in said adjacent flanges, said clip element having a base portion, and a return bend portion extending from each end of said base portion through the flange opening, each bend portion having the free end thereof terminating in the space between said-flanges and between the extelior and interior edge confines thereof.

3. Building wall sheathing including in combination, sheet metal panel units adapted to be arranged along a building in adjacent intertting relationship, each of said panel units havinga substantially rectangular wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending inwardly toward the building wall, twoof the inturned flanges of each panel unit having outturned foot portions adapted to seat against and be secured to the building wall, the outturned foot portions of one panel unit extending under the adjacent flanges of the adjacent panel unit providing a seat for said last named flanges, and means normally concealed from exterior View engaging the adjacent flanges of adjacent pane1 units for securing said panels together in assembled Wallforming relationship, said flange-engaging means including 4a. clip element" extending through aligned openings Vin said' adjacent flanges, said clip element having a base portion, and a return bend portion extending from each end of said base portion through the flange opening, each `bend portion having the free end thereof terminating in the space between said-flanges and between the exterior and interior edge confines curing certain of saidilanges to said building wall,

and a plurality of spaced clip elements for securing adjacent flanges of adjacent panel units in fixed wall forming relation, each of said clip elements extending through aligned openings in adjacent ilanges of adjacent panel units, each clip element having a base portion anda return bend portion extending from each end of said base portion through the flange opening, each bend portionhaving the free endl thereof terminating in a space between said flanges and between the exterior and interior edge confinesl thereof.

`5. In wall sheathing construction, sheet metal pane1 units adapted tofbe arranged along a building wall in adjacent relationship, each of said panel units having a wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending from said wall surface portion, and a plurality of spaced clip elements for securing adjacent flanges of adjacent panel units in flxed wall forming relation, each of said clip elements extending through yaligned openings in adjacent flanges of adjacent panel units, each clip element having a base portion and a return bend portion extending from each end of said base portion through the flange opening, each bend portion having the free end thereof terminating in a space between said flanges and between the exterior and interior edge confines thereof. y

6. In Wall sheathing construction, a sheet metal panel'adapted to be arranged along a building yclip including a foot portion for securing said clip to a fixed portion of the building wall, and a resilient wedge-shaped leg portion projecting v, through a slot in said flange, said leg portion having a free edge terminating exterior to said flange and between the exterior and interior edge conilnes thereof.

7. In wall sheathing construction, a sheet metal panel unit adapted to be arranged along a building wall having a substantially flush wall surface portion and a flange extending inwardly from said wall surface portion, and a resilient clip for securing the panel unit to the building wall, said clip having a foot portion, means for xedly securing said foot portion to a xed portion of the building wall, and a resilient wedge-shaped leg portion extending through a slot in said flange, said leg portion having a free edge terminating exterior to saidflange and between the exterior panel units adapted to be arranged along a building Wall in adjacent relationship, each of Vsaid panel units having a wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending from the wall surface portion, corresponding aligned slots in adjacent anges of adjacent panel units, and a resilient clip for securing said panel units together, said clip comprising resilient wedgeshaped leg portions extending between the flanges of adjacent panel units and through said aligned slots, said leg portions each having a free edge terminating exterior to said flanges and between the exterior and'interior edge connes thereof.

9. A resilient clip for securing together metal sheets having adjacent inturned flanges, said clip being formed from a single strip of metal comprising resilient leg portions extending between the flanges of adjacent metal sheets and through aligned slots therein, each of said leg portions comprising spaced walls terminating in a wedgeshaped apex, one of the walls of eachof said leg portions being integrally connected by a relatively flat base portion, the other of said walls being unconnected and each terminating in an outwardly extending lipped edge.

10. In building wall sheathing including, sheet metal panel units adapted to be arranged along a building wall, an intermediate panel unit adapted to bearranged along the building wall between said rst-named panel units, said panel units each having a wall surface portion and inturned vertically extending spacing anges, each pair of adjacent flanges of said panel units having spaced cooperating female recesses and male bosses for securing the intermediate panel unit to the first-named panel units so as to present a substantially flush wall surface, said first-named 'ange portion terminating in an upturned foot portion seating against the building wall, means securing said upturned foot portion to the building wall, and sheet metal panel units adapted to be arranged along said building wall positioned above said baseboard, each of said panel units having a generally rectangular wall surface portion and inturned spacing flanges extending from said wall surface portion, the lower flange of each of said panel units being positioned adjacent the inturned ange of said baseboard and terminating in an upturned lip portion normally seating against the upturned foot portion of said baseboard when in assembled position, means normally concealed from exterior view engaging the adjacent flanges of adjacent pane1 units for securing said panel units together in assembled wall forming relationship, and spaced resilient clip elements extending through aligned openings in the adjacent flanges of said baseboardv and panel units normally concealed from exterior View securing the baseboard to the adjacent superimposed panel units.

THOMAS F. ANDERSON. 

